Looking for Something Fun to Play?
Sure, etudes are great! Method books get the job done. But we all want to stretch our wings and play some fun stuff too. SO when you’re done with scales and etudes and assigned work, take some time to enjoy some other genres and delve into some new music! Here are some of our favorites!
David Kaynor, a giant of the contra dance world, was adopted to our state as the music director of the Vermont Fiddle Orchestra. His legacy of course is far greater than his contributions to Vermont: he was an tunemonger, a contra-dance caller, a fiddler and a leader and champion of traditional music the world over.
This 300-page, spiral-bound book includes his autobiography, descriptions of his involvement with many communities throughout the States, his more than 70 musical compositions and the harmonies he has written for many of them, his earlier book Calling for Beginners by Beginners, the 50+ dances he has choreographed, many of his stunning hand-calligraphed dance flyers, and more.
Many musicians have praised the wonderful tune selection ("finally -- a music book where I enjoy almost every single tune!"), the clear notation, a layout that makes it easy for several musicians to read off the same book, chord symbols for backup musicians, and the heavy-duty spiral binding. Beginning and closet musicians have found the tunes inspiring, slower and easier than jigs or reels, and very rewarding for the time and effort invested.
New England Fiddler's Repertoire is considered the gold standard for contra dance music. NEFR is an essential source for contra dance musicians, offering a firm foundation in New England fiddle tunes.
Contains 168 tunes in easy-to-read music with four measures per line, complete with guitar/piano chords. Illustrations engraved in wood by author Randy Miller. Introduction by Newt Tolman.
(Music Sales America). This book has become the industry standard for fiddlers due to its comprehensive amount of instruction and great songs that it packs into one convenient collection. Contains nearly 500 jigs, reels, rags, and hornpipes from all the major fiddling traditions. It also includes extensive information on regional styles, bowing, ornamentation, and even record companies that specialize in folk and fiddle music. It also includes an exhaustive discography as well as a standard song index along with an index of "alternate titles" that some of the songs may be recognized as. The enormous wealth of material in the Fiddler's Fakebook makes it more than a reference book to be left on the shelf. You will find it helpful in any playing situation from a square dance to an informal gathering of friends
Of all the music folios we’ve carried, Star Wars is the recurrent favorite that never loses its popularity. The big da DAAA dadada DA da theme, Darth Vader’s march, and the Emporer’s Theme are all captured here waiting for the next Jedi. May the Force be With You!
American Fiddle Method, Volume 1 gets students started off fiddling right by introducing essential skills and using classic fiddle tunes to reinforce the skills. This book comes with online access to play along tracks and a huge website of music to explore. 54 page book
The Irish Fiddle Book explains and shows in detail the various techniques used by fiddle-players in creating a traditional style of playing. All the information is presented in the context of the music itself, with numerous transcribed and recorded examples. It is aimed not only at beginners, but also fiddle-players (and indeed violinists) with some knowledge and experience who wish to learn more.
One of the best fiddle books available written in the bass clef for cello, Abby Newton presents the sheet music to her amazing first album of the same name. Now you can play along and develop the sweet Scottish sound as presented by a profoundly talented cello ‘Fiddler” Abby Newton.
The Jazz Workbook is a first book of its kind. Teaching single note instrumentalists (including guitarists) how to hear and play thru chord changes, this is the essential elements of jazz. The play along music has no chord instrument included, thus the student can hear the sound of the chord on his or her own.
A wonderful collection of tunes from one of Ireland’s finest contemporary fiddlers, Tommy Peoples. As the lead fiddler for the Bothy Band, Peoples delighted audiences the world over with his virtuosic style of Donegal fiddling. Here is a collection of his favorite tunes, as arranged by Peoples, one of the all-time greats of Irish fiddling.
A collection of 120 melodies meticulously transcribed from recordings by the masters of the klezmer style, including Dave Tarras, Naftule Brandwine, Abe Schwartz and many more. Written in standard notation for C instruments, this book includes chordal accompaniment, program notes for each piece, and interviews with master klezmer musician Andy Statman and ethnomusicologist Dr. Walter Zev Feldman.
Another self-published collection of tunes collected and arranged by Susan Songer. These books have become staple repertoire for contra dancers everywhere, and the music within can be played and enjoyed by fiddlers of all genres and all levels of ability. It’s a go-to book for anyone wanting to enjoy fiddle music as it is played at dances throughout the United States and beyond!
This series offers a versatile selection of the hottest pop and rock songs for violin, viola, and cello that can be performed as ensembles or solos. Each book contains carefully edited arrangements appropriate to each instrument, and well suited for level 2--3 students. The CD includes a fully orchestrated demo track of each song, which features a live instrumental solo performance, followed by a play-along track. Also included are PDFs of piano accompaniments, and Alfred's Tempo Changer software.
Alfred's Easy Pop & Rock Hits Instrumental Solos series offers a versatile selection of pop & rock music for violin, viola, and cello. Each book contains carefully edited arrangements appropriate to each instrument, and well suited for level 1 students. A fully orchestrated accompaniment MP3 CD is provided, featuring each song as a live performance demo track followed by a play-along track. The CD also contains a PDF of the Piano Accompaniment and Alfred's Tempo Changer Software.
Written to satisfy the wanderlust of fiddlers everywhere, this book (with online access to play along tracks) will get you into the Louisiana cajun style in no time! Well presented by Nancy Simon, an accomplished teacher and performer and native of Louisiana.
Learn your favorite tunes as arranged by America’s favorite young violinist, Lindsey Stirling. Watch her on you tube, attend her concerts and hear her recordings…now you can play her music too! Vocal lyrics also included and an Audio Playback which allows yout play with a piano, and loop passages, change tempos and more!
A selection of 375 jigs, reels, hornpipes, marches, waltzes and airs for contra dances, sessions, and house parties. Selected and carefully edited by fiddler Randy Miller in easy-to-read format, with guitar chords and extensive notes on the tunes.